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In memory of those who have Crossed the Bar
McKENNA, Owen David Joseph - Owen, loving husband to Isabel (2021), father, grandfather and great grandfather, passed away peacefully at his home in Lewis Hall, Parkland at the Lakes.
He was predeceased by his wife Isabel, son Richard, granddaughter Emily, his parents John and Sarah McKenna, siblings Neil (Christena “Teenie”) McKenna, Harold McKenna, Nora (Clyde) Nunn, Leo (Gloria) McKenna, Alice (Donald) Campbell, Eileen “Winnie” (John) Andrews, Mary Christianna “Chrissie” McKenna, John “Gish” (Teresa) McKenna, Mona (Erik) Olsen, and Eleanor (Dick) Toner.
Owen is survived by children, Leo (Vera Wheadon), Cathy Paget (Steve), David (Shawna), Patricia Jakeman (Tom), Marita Sheppard (Darrell), Sean (Sandro D’Ascanio), and Mike (Natalie Woodbury). He is also survived by daughter-in-law Lisa McKenna, sister-in-law Janet (Harold), grandchildren Owen, Neil, Sara, Laura, Alex, Nathan, Leah, Ben, Jacob, Jordan and Cameron, as well as great grandson Keegan, and David and Shawna’s foster children, notably Holly and Kari.
Owen was close to the Fraser clan as well, earning the love and respect of Isabel’s siblings Shirley (George) Manos, Marjorie (Jim) Tetz, Barb (Mike) McKenna, Ross (Loretta) Fraser, Jim (Linda) Fraser, and Heather (Gary) Collens. Owen was predeceased by Loretta and Barb.
Owen demonstrated his faith and belief in community through service, including his long career in the Royal Canadian Navy. Being steeped in the Antigonish Movement, he volunteered tirelessly in his new home of Eastern Passage. St. Andrew Parish, Knights of Columbus, Eastern Passage Cow Bay Athletic Association, Eastern Passage Credit Union, Eastern Passage Co-operative Funeral Home and many other organizations benefitted from his commitment to community.
If necessity is the mother of invention, Owen and Isabel were its midwives. Raising eight children on a navy salary required effort and ingenuity: rooms and eventually a basement were added to the family home as the McKenna’s grew, toasters got repaired, not replaced, and sports equipment and clothes were handed down several times, often without regard to gender or fashion.
In his long retirement he enjoyed golf and curling, losing money to his family at the poker table, and winning it back at the pool table.
Owen is remembered fondly for his wit, wisdom and kindness by many in Eastern Passage, his numerous nieces and nephews, and Isabel’s surviving siblings and their spouses, particularly Heather, who lived with the family after the death of her and Isabel’s mother.
Cremation has taken place. Visitation will be Monday, July 11, 2pm-4pm and 6pm-8pm at Eastern Passage Community Funeral Home, 5 Cow Bay Road, Eastern Passage. Funeral mass will be celebrated 2pm, Tuesday July 12 at St. Andrew Roman Catholic Church, Eastern Passage.
A reception catered by the Catholic Women’s League will be held immediately after the funeral mass at Buffalo Club, 625 Cow Bay Road.
No flowers please. Memorial donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society.
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